P. & T. Trouble.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1922, Page 1

P. & T. Trouble.

ATTITUDE OF MINISTER

THREAT OF DISMISSALS

WELLINGTON, May 1 There has been considerable talk i.i Wellington at the statements said to have been made to the members of the conference at Hamilton by the Post-master-General, the lion Mr Coates. The Minister is understood to have stated definitely that there will he no affiliatiori of the postal services with the Allianc of Labour. He is also said to have given the delegates to understand that a limited time lias been fixed by the Government for the association to make up its mind on the matter, after which there will he whole-

sale dismissals of men whom the department regard as disloyalists. “A VITAL ISSUE.” A P. AND T. VIEW. After a review of the position in an editorial headed “Within the Law: Freedom in a Fine Country,” the official organ of tlie Post and Telegraph Association says: “We urge on members the vital necessity of giving the whole position close and continuous ■■ ttenlion. So that the present vital issue is not lost sight of, and, when the position is in the process of being cleared up, that they do not allow themselves to he deprived of any right they have . s free citizens by promises of concessions on less vital matters. Remember the Government is under oath to uphold and maintain the constitution of Now Zealand. That constitution gives all citizens (no limitation whatsoever) the full right of association with other people for any lawful purpose. The Alliance of Labour is a lawful combination of national unions of workers. If then, the Government gives way to the pressure put upon it by opponents of the Alliance, and takes away by process of intimidation and victimisation any of the rights of P. and T. workers ns free citizens, then, to that extent and degree they will he breaking the oath they promised to hold sacred when they assumed their portfolios.” The article points out that the objective of the Alliance of Labour is: The collective ownership'of the means of production and distribution, and control of all industries by the workers who operate them in tlie intrests of the community. The words “in the interests of the community” have (it says) been studiously omitted by the opponents of tlie Alliance, and yet they are the key to the whole objective. If tho Alliance does anything which is not in the interests of the community (it continues), and does not rectify the mistake as soon .as it is shown to he a mistake, it would he setting the seal on its term of existence, and the broader j the diversion from this great underlying principle the more rapidly will i tho termination arrive. ,ts, however, our members have had the full text, of this objective before them for some: time, there is no need to stress this, phase of the position. It is only a j

side,issue at the present juncture. The re»l issue is: Can the association lawfully affiliate or conversely, if affiliation is lawful, what special power does the Government possess wherewith to block the necessary technical steps towards linking up?